Research Towards Prevention

Doctors and scientists have found that a vitamin called folic acid (folate) can help to prevent many new cases of spina bifida from occurring. This vitamin must be taken for at least one month before conception and for the first three months of pregnancy. Research has shown that women who have had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect can reduce their chances of having a second affected pregnancy by about 70%. Further studies on women who had not previously had an affected child also showed similar results. Thus it is now firmly recommended that all women supplement their intake of folic acid both before, and for the first three months of, pregnancy to help protect against neural tube defects. (Please note, this does not guarantee a baby free of problems or abnormalities, but is does increase the chances of it being so.)

As yet we do not know how or why folic acid works or why it does not work for the approximately 30% who are not folate responsive.

While there are no definitive answers as yet, research is continuing and folic acid has been proven to be an important key in prevention. It is also a simple tool - just one small tablet a day can dramatically increase your chances of having a healthy baby.